A Letter to the Mamas

A letter to you, mama

I see you. I see you up late at night after the dishes and laundry are done, wondering if now is the right time to do motherhood or family photos, and closing your Instagram and Facebook, vowing that someday, you will do portraits. You grace in the mirror and remember that you wanted to lose ten pounds, and where did all those grey hairs come from? You sigh and promise that eventually, the time will be right.

I want to express something that’s been on my mind, something that as a photographer, I believe is of great importance. Now is the time, mom. The photos, the beautiful snapshots of your life, your memories, and your family? It’s time to get in the photos, just the way you are. First, please know that you are truly beautiful the way you are, and your presence in the life of your family or your children is a special gift. You are warm, loving, and your laughter is what makes your family so special. It’s not about perfection or importance, but about giving your children a tangible memory that includes you.

For many of us moms, we are not the same size we were when we got married or even early on in our motherhood. Maybe your weight has fluctuated up or down, and either one can create insecurities about the way we look. Please hear me when I say that those perceived flaws do not matter to the people who love you. The “imperfections” make you uniquely you, and they are part of what makes you unique. Embrace the smile likes, a few grey hairs, and yes, even a few pounds, because they are a testament to a life well-lived. They represent Friday night pizza nights or the inside jokes that make you belly laugh. Those are the things your children will remember.

Another reason that so many clients put off photos is because their children are little. Since I’m still in the season of little ones, I understand how hard it can be to wrangle infants and toddlers (and get them into coordinated outfits!), but time has a way of slipping through our fingers. Our kids are growing faster than we can believe. Yes, family photos can be a but of work for the primary parent (we see the mental load!), but they also can be a beautiful tradition and memory that can bring your family closer together. Children do well with routines, and using the same photographer or doing family photos each year can help familiarize them with the idea!

Mama, I encourage you to step in front of the camera with confidence and love, because it's your presence that completes your family photos. Remember, these pictures are a legacy for your children and their children, a testament to the love and happiness you've shared. I want you to see yourself as the beautiful, strong, wild, amazing person I see, and it’s why I love what I do! Your presence in those pictures will be a gift that keeps on giving, a timeless reminder of your love and importance. I promise.

Love,

Olivia

Preparing for Your Family Session

Family photos can strike fear in the heart of the most experienced parents. I cannot count the number of families who express stress, fear, and confusion over booking family photos, and in preparing for their shoot, and I cannot say it enough times: It doesn’t have to be that way! I’ve been doing family portraits for many years, and I love it. I am passionate about family photos, because of the heirloom memories that they become from generation to generation, being passed down. I am a mother myself, and I know how tangible and precious our own family photos are, and how much I value those images. I encourage every family to have their photos done at least once a year, twice if possible! That’s because little ones change and grow so quickly, and they can truly look so much more grown up, just six months after your last session. But many moms and dads don’t know how to make family photos a positive experience for themselves and their little ones, which is why I want to share these tips:

1) Talk about family photos in a positive light: You’d be surprised how much your own attitude about photos can influence your children’s viewpoint of them. If they stress you out, if you are confused about the process, if you threaten or bribe or talk through gritted teeth about getting that perfect photo, your children will notice. I encourage all parents to make the day of their shoot a really happy experience. Talk about how excited you are, and finish the time after your shoot with a treat like ice cream or a special dinner out! Your children will begin to associate photos with joy and happiness, and not stress.

2) Dress yourself first, moms. I know that as a mother, we can focus on our own weight or appearance and use that as an excuse to put photos off for years and years. it can be hard to acknowledge that we may not be at our goal weight when we do family pictures, but I really want you to hear me: get in the picture anyways! Your children will love making memories with you, and they don’t care about the number on a scale. Choose an outfit that makes you feel awesome, even if it means you start shopping several weeks before your shoot. Choose your own outfit before you choose your children’s or spouse’s, because their clothes are likely much easier to find. If you feel confident and don’t put it off until the last minute, it will reflect better in the images.

3) Trust me. You do not have to bribe or prepare your kids to be perfectly behaved. I have children of my own, and I know toddlers can be wiggly, or that older ones may have a grimace or two. It’s okay! I am a veteran photographer, and I have a few tricks up my sleeve to coax even the most reluctant subject to crack a smile or two. We WILL get the photos you want, and you will be pleasantly surprised in how beautiful they will come out. If your two year old is running around like a crazy person, it’s okay. Take a deep breath. I promise I can handle it, and all I need is for you to relax and to smile!

Family photos are something you will never regret doing. Take the time and make the investment to preserve your family memories…it is truly something you’ll be so grateful you did!

Cummings Family | Lifestyle Session at Home

They say your home is where your story begins. That’s why it’s one of my favorite places to do a family session. Oftentimes, the home is where your children are most comfortable, and it allows for candid shots that they may not want to do anywhere else. There is ample time for snuggles with mom and dad, laughter around the kitchen table, and reading stories and showing off beloved toys. This is the Cummings family: Sadie, Alex, Lucy, Ellie, and Liam. They are Southern Oregon natives, who love where they live, and wanted a family session that reflected their quiet life at home. Sadie is naturally gifted in decorating her home in an elegant and minimalist feel, so there was plenty of natural light and pretty white hues to make this shoot work. (Your home doesn’t have to have large picture windows or all-white decor to have a beautiful family session; I can work with any lighting and color palette you may need) The girls are so sweet and darling, and they truly love one another. Liam has tons of energy and enjoyed showing me all his trucks and cars!

To schedule a family in-home session, all you have to do is contact me. We can choose any time of day that suits you best, and you can decide how you’d like me to document your family. Whether you want to bake cookies together or read books, I love making it a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all the members of the family, and as a mom myself, I know how to roll with the punches when it comes to tiny ones! These shoots are meant to capture your family as they are, and the memories that you will cherish for years and years to come are central to the session. There is always time to dance a little bit in the living room, or jump on the bed in a true lifestyle session. If you have questions about the process or what a lifestyle session may look like, you can reach out to me HERE.

Thank you, Sadie and Alex, for allowing me into your home to share your story!